Knoxville, Tennessee

At our services this morning, we shared that God has been preparing us for a new ministry.  Here is a little more of that story.

Over the last couple years, God has placed within us a strong heart to adopt more kids.  Last fall we started the training and preparation.  As we moved forward, we quickly realized our house was going to be too small for more kids.  We sought God's direction for clear guidance on how to move forward.  At that time, we felt led to start looking at ministry positions around the country just to see if He might be preparing us for a new direction.  In May, we decided to take a big step forward by selling our house.  We felt that regardless of whether we stayed in Seattle or moved to a new area, we would need to sell the house anyway.

Since we have greatly enjoyed the ministry at Edgewood and didn't really want to leave, we were very selective in sending out resumes.  We didn't want to go anywhere else unless it was clear leading from the Lord, so we were searching for His direction and trusting in His timing.

In August, I began regularly communicating with Salem Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee.  In September, I flew down for a visit with their staff and personnel committee.  Through those conversations and visits, God has made it very clear that this is where He wants us to serve.  So, in October, Megan and I both went down to Knoxville, met many of the teams from the church, led worship for a Sunday service, and accepted their invitation to become their Worship and Creative Arts Pastor.

While Megan and I both feel a strong peace about this direction, it is still very hard for us to leave friends and ministry at Edgewood.  It is hard to walk away from eight and a half years of building relationships.  We have so many good memories of Edgewood and the Seattle area and it will always remain as a special part of our lives.  We have also gained truly valuable ministry experience that will be put to good use at our new church.

Please join us in praying for Edgewood as this has definitely been a year of transition and now there is one more transition to work through.  We truly believe that God wants to do great things through Edgewood to reach out to the Seattle area.

We also ask that you please continue to pray for us as we transition to a new community and a new ministry.  Our last Sunday at Edgewood will be December 13 (the Christmas program weekend) and then we'll head down to Knoxville shortly after that with the hopes of starting there the first of the New Year.

It is definitely with mixed emotions that we share this news, but we are excited about moving forward with God's plan for our lives.

Salem Pastoral Staff

Tennessee Gifts from the Pastor's Wife, Miss Nova